Through the whole exchange, Arrika had remained silent but for her one question, taking in the dark conversation with one hand on Kelumarion's shoulder. She fights to keep her face an impassive mask, even as the little girl takes the knife to the fallen man's throat; when Rukzha takes the others out into the street to prepare for departure, Arrika remains behind, watching as Elriel takes out the tieflings.
::There's no better outcome here, is there, Kelu? I mean...if things hadn't gone to madness perhaps they could be brought to see good again...but there was no way to save them, not with what's happened.::
A deep, mournful rumble sounds in the shining cat's chest. ::No...there was little else that could have been done. Your companions gave them the mercy of a quick death, a clean death. There are many who would not - many who would have repaid every one of their intended cruelties in kind, and more besides. Even some of your parents' kin would have. But remember - no person is purely evil. Many fall prey to the cruelty and malice in their hearts, yes, and these you've seen today earned the wages of their misdeeds. But if we stoop to their level of cruelty, we have become them, even if we name it revenge or justice.
When Elriel's bloody work is completed, Arrika steps forward, her expression taut, and offers Elriel a hand to help him from his kneel. You were right, she murmurs softly. It had to be done.
When Elriel's bloody work is completed, Arrika steps forward, her expression taut, and offers Elriel a hand to help him from his kneel. You were right, she murmurs softly. It had to be done.
The half-elf holds back a sniffle and clears his throat before answering, "I-- I know."
His eyes lost, looking at the children being led through the streets of smoke and ruin, of blood and demons. "I wish it didn't have to be this way..."
I think we should have a rest to get things clear soon. I can't remember when we as a party sat down and really rested.
Elriel was somewhat annoyed but forced himself to calm down and speak slowly, "Sabrina. I need a rest as much as you do. And so do these children. However, we just got out from underground and found the city in ruins. We are trying to find a safe place to rest. While we were looking, we found children, which we took with us. We then kept looking and found the library destroyed with the fallen crusader and tieflings holding people hostage."
He shrugged, "We are still trying to find a safe place to rest. It's not like we are out here looting."
Elriel neared her and put his hand on her shoulder, "C'mon. Let's find a safe place for these children before dark set in."
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Sabrina looks to her companion, We can rest here, but I think our next place to go is the Cathedral of Saint Clydwell.
She stands and faces Elriel, You need to understand, I have responsibilities, just like you do, just like all of us. but we need to keep a cool head in all of this. That man surrendered, I had to honor that, At least give him a chance. I tried to find the right solution. what happened in there was rather unexpected. The Librarian acted exactly as I suspected.
she looks down in regret of her choice, but I wasn't expecting that child. she is one we may need to keep an eye on lest her heart turn black.
Elriel, don't become them.
While searching for the enemies weapons, Elriel was able to find a banded mail, a heavy mace of exceptional quality that radiates faint light, a light steel shield with the symbol of Iomedae, a potion of stabilize, a potion of mage armor, two potions of cure light wounds (labeled by the Crusader's standards), two sets of studded leather armor, two shortswords, 80 shields of silver, and 36 sails of gold.
While Elriel was ushering everyone to move outside, Aravashnial refuse to move, as well as the librarians. "I'm sorry, Elriel, but I can't leave the Blacking now... so much knowledge have already been lost and the meager amount of books we can safe could be the difference between a victory and a defeat. My duty is to remains here with the remaining librarians, trying to organize and save whatever I can... according to Fenna and the others, the walls here are still sturdy and if not for their piety, this madman would never come in... also, this could be a good place to rest, at least until you find a more suitable one."
Bertholdt nods in agreement with the elf and Sabrina's suggestion. "We cannot also risk the like of the children... if we are attacked in the streets, the kids could run around and be dead in a heartbeat... perhaps our better move right now is to rest a bit and then take the Blacking as our own safehouse, keeping the librarians and the kids here under Aravashnial and mine protection while you try to discover new information, provisions, and survivors." As Bertholdt finished, Anevia was nodding in agreement. "The smaller our group, the better are our chances to get little demonic attention..."
They're right - if it's still mostly structurally sound, it's a better choice than most of the rest of town...but what if someone else shows up seeking to wipe out the knowledge here? Arrika replies concernedly. We already know it's drawn some demonic attention - who's to say it won't draw more, especially if the...worm-thing's still roaming about? Aravashnial, do you know if there's any sort of...I don't know, basement or hidden chamber? Somewhere that everyone would be able to stay while leaving the ground floor unoccupied? It's not perfect, but it may be the best plan we've got.
Elriel nodded, "Fair enough. This may be the safe place we are looking for. At least in the short term."
He then got busy making sure the doors and walls and such were secure. He then took the valuables from the tieflings and crusader and left them outside the building. "We'll keep watch. Probably in pairs."
He looked at the librarians and the children, "Does anyone need first aid or some other assistance? Is there any food?
Fenna shakes her head at Arrika's questions. "I guess there is indeed no guarantee that no more demons will come to look for us but we know that the demon's activities are somewhat diminishing since the attack... many of the more powerful demons have already retreated to the Worldwound and I believe the same happened to that aberration... Regarding the underground tunnels and chambers, we already searched for them but they are completely ruined and destroyed."
At Elriel's question the one of the librarians points towards a small quantity of food in one of the book shelves. It would probably be enough for the librarians for a week but with the kids it might be enough for only a day or two. None of them are hurt.
Looking at the small cache of supplies, Arrika's face grows even more serious, though she tries to keep it hidden. We've got a little bit as well - it's nothing fancy, just dried meat and hard biscuits, but it's better than nothing. Setting down her battered backpack, still heavy with their findings from the caves below, she begins withdrawing the slightly squashed packets, the remnants of what they'd found in the tunnels. It's the least we can do, with you letting us work out of here.
Straightening up, she settles the paper-wrapped packages on the shelf, then turns to Elriel, Sabrina, and Rukzha. Right...we've got a place to rest, but there's still not much to go around, not for everyone. We need supplies, and Anevia's wife still isn't accounted for, either...but...I wouldn't mind a rest, either. It's been a...trying couple of days. Seer Opoli's cozy bed and warm soup seemed an age ago, and the kettle she'd stirred at the festival might as well have been sitting on Azlant's lost shores.
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Elriel, I will take watch with you. Arrika, you and Ruk get some rest we will wake you for next watch. Also If Kel wants to he can take whatever watch he thinks he needs.
Sabrina then goes about cleaning up to make the area a bit more livable. we are to use this for a base of operations we will need some basic essentials. We will need a triage area to evaluate the wounded that we find. Also a holding area for prisoners. Separate out the sleeping areas to keep the soldiers and civilians separate.
Sabrina starts to try and make the place look like a military relief station.
Also keep the outside like it is, the more abandon it looks the safer everyone most likely will be. limit time outside as well, we don't want this place looking to inhabited by on-lookers
in response to Fenna, This is not much different tactic I saw at Fort Tamms, there will still be at least 1 maybe two more powerful demons left to keep charge. they also may employ mercenaries to keep watch in their stead. with demons, crap roll down hill they will always bully some lesser being into doing what they don't want to.
Rukzha chants to herself as she studies, sharpening her mind to think about what she knows about this world and the next in relation to this issue.
At Elriel's suggestion Rukzha starts to lead everyone out and at least get the children out before Elriel preform the grisly deed. When the rest don't come out she naturally brings everyone back. "Guess we are staying here for a bit, better to stay a place with walls and doors than one without."
Hearing talk about where to go next Rukzha turns to Sabrina. "The Cathedral is smashed to bits. Going there would just be to search through the ruins. Weren't we going to look for Anevia's wife next? We should decide if we are heading there before we rest or if we stay here for now to recharge. I still got a powerful spell left, glitterdust, it can blind enemies in an area. Hopefully that'll be able to turn at least one though fight in our favor. I don't have a way to make it spare friends though, so if there are clumped up enemies it would be nice if you could avoid getting in the middle of them."
Next she looks to Aravashnial and the librarians. Her brilliant mind keeps several threads going at the same time. Jumping between topics faster than others can follow. "If we are staying here, we should take use of the time. You got plenty of books. Anything I can look at to learn more about our situation, or about other useful things? I can be your ears if you fill my mind with knowledge Aravashnial."
Rukzha looks down for a bit, slightly embarrassed as the others discuss keeping watch. "Oh yeah, about keeping watch... I'll need at least 8 hours sleep to regain my magic. I've tried to do it on less, but it just doesn't work. Then I need another hour of meditation to prepare. I figure the rest of you can get by on 6 hours, so that would leave each of you three hours to spare. It might be more efficient if I don't participate in the watches to not delay our rest even further."
Elriel welcomes Sabrina's offer of taking watch with him.
He then turns to Rukzha, trying to assuage her concerns. "As much as I'd like to go out myself, I think it makes sense to take rest. As others have said, it has been a couple of very trying days. You've proved your worth already so we'll accommodate your resting needs. I'll personally take your shift if it comes to that."
He then looked at Anevia, "If you're Ok with this, we will try and find your wife tomorrow morning. I've heard she's quite capable so if she survived the initial attack, she'll be OK for one more night."
Realizing how that sounded, he quickly added, "I'm sure she's fine."
Oh yeah, about keeping watch...
I can take a watch...doesn't much matter which, Arrika ventures. I mean...I don't know that I'll be much help, not having elf or orc eyes, but Kelu sees great in the dark - he'll be great for the middle hours.
Arrika, you and Ruk get some rest we will wake you for next watch. Also If Kel wants to he can take whatever watch he thinks he needs.
He'll join the watch with me, Arrika replies, a bit quickly. I mean, it's not - it's not that he wouldn't be willing, but - it's just that.... Well, he actually -
While she rrrests, I cannot rrremain, Kelumarion suddenly interrupts, his low voice rumbling. My prresence in this worrrld is tied to herrr awareness - while she sleeps, this forrrm rrecedes and I rrejoin my brrothers and sisters in Nirrvana. But fearr not - when she calls again upon me, no merre demons will prrevent my rreturrn. His mouth widens in an eager, surprisingly cheerful smile given the severity of the situation.
Also keep the outside like it is, the more abandon it looks the safer everyone most likely will be. limit time outside as well, we don't want this place looking to inhabited by on-lookers
Arrika's face falls slightly. So I suppose that means no fire either. I was hoping to see if I could figure out some stew or something from the rations we've got...but you're right, we should keep it dark in here, so we don't draw attention. But something warm would have been nice.. Trying to hide her dismay, she begins scouring the shelves of supplies further. Are there any blankets? Any skins, maybe, that we could use for sleeping mats, or cushions from chairs to use for pillows? We'll look for more tomorrow, but we should make things as comfortable as we can for now.
Anevia nods to Arrika and Elriel. "I see your point about resting now, even if I long to find if Irabeth is fine... I cannot obviously go by myself and I cannot impose you to risk everything right now... but please, can we search for her as soon as the morning arrives?" Anevia rests with her back against the wall, lost in her own thoughts, torn between believing Irabeth is indeed alive and well or if she is long dead...
Aravashnial gives Rukzha a sad smile. "Sure there are still plenty of books around here but I'm really not sure they will be of any good right now... You should remember that the Blackwing was indeed a library and as all libraries there are the books we judge are for the 'public' and those that are for the 'specialists'. All the really meaningful books, volumes, treatises, and thesis were not held here but in the lower chambers... I fear that in our thirst to shield the world about our dreadful mission we might have doomed us all...I believe these remaining books would cover mostly the history, light religious matters, geography... Fenna, did any of the books from Danvolar of Turvas survived?" At the mention of her name, Fenna bowed to Aravashnial (even if her gesture was lost due to his lack of vision) and started to look at once for the mentioned book. "I'm not sure, Master Aravashnial, but I'll look at once!"
Unfortunately Arrika finds no sign of any blankets, skins or even cushions... only books. On the bright side, the night was warmer than normal, perhaps a side effect of demonic invasion.
One of the librarians, an old man with dark skin, brings Sabrina an old map after a couple minutes searching. "This map was created by Durval Ulth, the best mapmaker I've ever seen... it is a masterful work that should be kept safe to influence curious and dedicated minds but I guess its real purpose is to guide, right? Please, make good use of it Crusader."
Outside you all are able to see the night falling, even if a distinct tone of red persists as well as an occasional scream or hideous laugh breaks the silence.
...but please, can we search for her as soon as the morning arrives?
Of course, Arrika replies with a surety she doesn't feel. Don't worry - we'll find her. Irabeth is a strong fighter...if anyone could make it out there, it's her. Arrika unfurls the tatty blanket she'd found in the tunnels and lays it out on the ground, setting out the torn bedroll as well before settling into a corner and tucking her cloak about her.
At the mention of the map, though, she gets up and goes to look it over curiously. Could we maybe make a copy of it? she ventures forth. I mean...we've got some parchment in here, presumably, and we've got time tonight. That way, we wouldn't have to worry about spoiling the nice one.
ELRIEL'S BRIEF DOWNTIME (feel free to participate)
The half-elf was quiet during most of their dinner. Knowing full well that his actions had shocked the paladin, he decided to listen and learn. Maybe she was right.
He then spied the little girl who had stabbed the crusader. She seemed fine. She was playing with some ragged excuse for a doll. No one could have guessed that she had killed a man today. He warmed on the inside; her playing innocently gave him hope. Hope that this was just passing. Hope that the demons would be killed or driven back. Hope that the girl would not have to kill again.
Then he remembered his hometown, at the edge of the Tanglebriar. How long had Treerzaer been around for? And all the Uprooters with their fancy techniques and all the elven longswords and bows and magic had not eradicated the demon lord from his homeland. The fetid swamp was a shameful part of the elven forest.
His brow furrowed. Was this another Tanglebriar? Was containment all they could hope for?
The half-elf tied back his mane in a ponytail and approached the children. Receiving a nod of approval from their caretaker, Elriel sat amongst them. He thought about juggling his shortswords but quickly decided against it. He pulled out a couple of coins and started to make them dance across his knuckles. He then started to make the coins disappear and pulled them out of the children’s ears.
The children smiled. He smiled. It was going to be OK.
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Sabrina spreads the map out on a table to examine it.
with the Librarian's help she puts a pebble on each of the locations they need to check out.
she then finds something else to mark their current location. Now, lets plot the best path I want to see to it that we all find what and who we are looking for. nodding to Anevia.
I believe that this cathedral may be something to look into but I agree, finding Irabeth is more important. besides Irabeth may have gathered together other crusaders to prepare to mount some kind of counter attack. we can only hope
looking to the group any other suggestions?
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ELRIEL'S BRIEF DOWNTIME (feel free to participate)
The half-elf was quiet during most of their dinner. Knowing full well that his actions had shocked the paladin, he decided to listen and learn. Maybe she was right.
He then spied the little girl who had stabbed the crusader. She seemed fine. She was playing with some ragged excuse for a doll. No one could have guessed that she had killed a man today. He warmed on the inside; her playing innocently gave him hope. Hope that this was just passing. Hope that the demons would be killed or driven back. Hope that the girl would not have to kill again.
Then he remembered his hometown, at the edge of the Tanglebriar. How long had Treerzaer been around for? And all the Uprooters with their fancy techniques and all the elven longswords and bows and magic had not eradicated the demon lord from his homeland. The fetid swamp was a shameful part of the elven forest.
His brow furrowed. Was this another Tanglebriar? Was containment all they could hope for?
The half-elf tied back his mane in a ponytail and approached the children. Receiving a nod of approval from their caretaker, Elriel sat amongst them. He thought about juggling his shortswords but quickly decided against it. He pulled out a couple of coins and started to make them dance across his knuckles. He then started to make the coins disappear and pulled them out of the children’s ears.
The children smiled. He smiled. It was going to be OK.
Elriel, today, we did not quite see eye to eye, I realize we both had our reasons. I tried to find a decent solution. It didn't work out. Sabrina has trouble looking him the eye. her face full of regret for her actions.
That Man, he surrendered to me, he pleaded for mercy. I granted it, as I am honor bound to do. My name bears many mixed emotions between the glory of Yaniel's crusades, and the betrayal that led to the fall of Fort Tamms and contributed directly to the loss of fort Dresen at the start of the Second Crusade. My honor is really all I have left. And I feel you challenged me on that.
Sabrina pauses for a moment, That frightened me. I tried to find a solution, but I should have forced my side stronger. Once I accepted his surrender, he became my responsibility, not yours. his actions after that point would fall in my hands.
Elriel scraped some blood off his boots or slime or something with his shortsword. He was never too far from his blades.
He looks up at Sabrina, "You know I think it wasn't that bad. I think it was mostly semantics. When you said trial, I envisioned barristers and courts and... a whole waste of time."
He added, "Now I know that you had already passed judgement on the crusader and you intended him to be executed by his victims. This last part I'm not too crazy about. It turned out OK..." He looked at the girl still playing with his coins, "...but it could have been handled better."
He shrugged, "Just let me do your dirty work. That should keep your conscience clear, right?
Rukzha is excited to learn about the books and the vaults. From Aravasinal's earlier reaction she had expected everything to be lost. "Hopefully she'll be able to find the book. I'm sure there is some useful knowledge, even if it's just in the public section there gotta be something we can use. What was this you mentioned about knowledge being hidden away. Is it something we can still potential reach? Maybe it's worth to venture into these vaults to be able to better combat the demons? Or was it for sure destroyed in the battle?"
----
Rukzha joins Sabrina in watching the map and planning for the next day. She lets out an exasperated sight. "I already said the cathedral was destroyed. How many times do I have to tell you? Do you really want to spend time searching through ruins when we got lives to take care of, our own included?" She has little patience for people not learning or remembering things quickly.
"Our next course of action seems clear. Check out Anevia's house and hopefully find Irabeth. But after that, I don't know. It's not like anything we do here can make the city rise again. It'll still be a part of the worldwound. I said before that I would pay back my own rescue by helping others. Twice I've been saved from capture and certain death now, first by the order and now by you. I think we should try to help as many as we can against the demons. Maybe bring them back here? Hopefully we won't just be gathering them up like lambs before slaughter for some powerful demon to sweep in to take advantage of. At some point we probably have to leave the city as well, this is no place for children to stay. But first, let's focus on rescuing eh?" Rukzha quickly loses her irritation, replacing it with a burning intensity to see things through. After finishing with a question she looks around at her companions, seeing if they agree or if they rather want to flee to focus on their own survival.
Elriel nods, "I concur. We need to find Irabeth as she's the one connected to the city military. Hopefully, they will have plans to take the city back or leave it altogether. In either case, we can help."
He then looks at the blind elf, Will you be staying here? Is there anything else that you need from us? Is there anything else we should know about that will help Kenabres?"
Aravashnial turns his head to Rukzha. "Many books were kept in a separate vaults, some of them of very profane nature, and you should imagine that they should have been kept away from the public... even so, even heretic, knowledge is powerful and we must understand it to better comprehend our situation and aspirations... unfortunately, according to Fenna, the subterranean vaults have collapsed so even if I have hopes that not all the books were destroyed I imagine it would take us several days, even weeks, to dig through the rubble... I'm also afraid that this worm-man could have stolen most of our more precious treasures and for us treasures means books."
Aravashnial pauses just in time for Fenna to bring a dusty book, a bit torn thanks to the general destruction. "Unfortunately I've just found one of Master Danvolar of Turvas... 'The Crusades'..." she then gives the book to Rukzha and Aravashnial continues with sadness. "A pity... Master Danvolar of Turvas was an elf scholar that lived in Sarkoris many centuries before the opening of the Worldwound and thus witnessed the whole process to this current situation... he passed away three years ago. I imagine what would be the title of his new book... 'The failure of the mankind', perhaps..."
________________________________
Aravashnial nods to Elriel. "It is my duty to stay here... I'm afraid that before we learn about the extent of the destruction and current situation of the possible survivors, we'd just waste our time in futile preparations and planning... We need to find the crusaders first and then plan..."
Aravashnial nods to Elriel. "It is my duty to stay here... I'm afraid that before we learn about the extent of the destruction and current situation of the possible survivors, we'd just waste our time in futile preparations and planning... We need to find the crusaders first and then plan..."
Elriel nods, "I understand and I agree with you. We need to find the crusaders and then evaluate what's going on."
He looks at the children and the back at the blind elf, "Would it be Ok to leave the children and some gear here? Until further notice, this has become a sort of homebase for us. We expect to return to it later tonight. Hopefully with some good news."
He turns to his companions, "Let's leave what we don't need here and head out. Anevia, you OK to travel?"
Sabrina nods in agreement, we should head out at first light. We should travel light so leaving any excess gear here is a good idea.
I recommend Berth stay behind as well, his healing may come in handy if more survivors make their way here.
Looking at the map more closely, Elriel adds, "We should travel between the 2nd and 3rd walls and sort of skirt the center of the city. We could stop by Horgus Manor and let them know that Horgus perished. No need to go into details. We then head over to Anevia's House."
ELRIEL'S BRIEF DOWNTIME (feel free to participate)
The half-elf was quiet during most of their dinner. Knowing full well that his actions had shocked the paladin, he decided to listen and learn. Maybe she was right.
He then spied the little girl who had stabbed the crusader. She seemed fine. She was playing with some ragged excuse for a doll. No one could have guessed that she had killed a man today. He warmed on the inside; her playing innocently gave him hope. Hope that this was just passing. Hope that the demons would be killed or driven back. Hope that the girl would not have to kill again.
Then he remembered his hometown, at the edge of the Tanglebriar. How long had Treerzaer been around for? And all the Uprooters with their fancy techniques and all the elven longswords and bows and magic had not eradicated the demon lord from his homeland. The fetid swamp was a shameful part of the elven forest.
His brow furrowed. Was this another Tanglebriar? Was containment all they could hope for?
The half-elf tied back his mane in a ponytail and approached the children. Receiving a nod of approval from their caretaker, Elriel sat amongst them. He thought about juggling his shortswords but quickly decided against it. He pulled out a couple of coins and started to make them dance across his knuckles. He then started to make the coins disappear and pulled them out of the children’s ears.
The children smiled. He smiled. It was going to be OK.
Elriel, today, we did not quite see eye to eye, I realize we both had our reasons. I tried to find a decent solution. It didn't work out. Sabrina has trouble looking him the eye. her face full of regret for her actions.
That Man, he surrendered to me, he pleaded for mercy. I granted it, as I am honor bound to do. My name bears many mixed emotions between the glory of Yaniel's crusades, and the betrayal that led to the fall of Fort Tamms and contributed directly to the...
Elriel scraped some blood off his boots or slime or something with his shortsword. He was never too far from his blades.
He looks up at Sabrina, "You know I think it wasn't that bad. I think it was mostly semantics. When you said trial, I envisioned barristers and courts and... a whole waste of time."
He added, "Now I know that you had already passed judgement on the crusader and you intended him to be executed by his victims. This last part I'm not too crazy about. It turned out OK..." He looked at the girl still playing with his coins, "...but it could have been handled better."
He shrugged, "Just let me do your dirty work. That should keep your conscience clear, right?
"Who is Horgus? At some point I would like to stop by the headquarters of the order. Maybe it's still standing. It's there." She points out the location on the map.
Our first priority is to find Irabeth, I agree - she may be able to connect us with the crusaders, and prove a powerful ally even if she's lost contact with them. And we'll stop to speak with Horgus's family as well, along the way. With the madness in the streets...that may be enough work for a day already, but if we have time and energy left Rukzha's allies may be an important next step.
But we can't ignore these safe houses forever, Arrika adds, her finger following Sabrina's on the map. Someone will need to figure out what's going on there, see if any further trouble can be forestalled - and if we can't find the crusaders, it might have to be us. The fear that would have suffused her voice at that statement just the day previous has nearly disappeared, leaving behind a quiet resignation.
"Who is Horgus?
Horgus was a...companion of ours. He was caught alongside us in the fall that landed us in the tunnels, and he was traveling with us for some time. But then he decided to separate from us, and, well...it didn't go so well for him. We found his signet ring, though - we'd wanted to return it to his family, if any still live.
But we can't ignore these safe houses forever,[/b] Arrika adds, her finger following Sabrina's on the map. Someone will need to figure out what's going on there, see if any further trouble can be forestalled - and if we can't find the crusaders, it might have to be us. The fear that would have suffused her voice at that statement just the day previous has nearly disappeared, leaving behind a quiet resignation.
Elriel nodded, "Agree. Anything we can do to help end this demon blight. But right now, we have children to take care of so it's in our best interest to see if the city has rallied their troops."
He then added, "I suggested to stop by Horgus' old place just because it's on our way."
"What are these safe houses you are speaking about?" Rukzha inquires.
After reading over the notes she gets quite excited, though with a mixture of shock thrown in. "Wow, that's a lot of useful information. Vorlesh probably refers to the witch, now demon that opened the Worldwound in the first place. Did she destroy the wardstone? This should get to the hands of whoever is leading the fight against the demons in the city. Hopefully there are more than just us."
She looks over the map to the markers already placed. "You missed the Tower of Estrod. It's there." She points. "That might be more intact and contain some of the knowledge that we can no longer reach from here. What do you say Aravasinal? That's worth investigating, right? Though it might require more than us to do it if it's infested with cultists, but if there are no one else.." Her words trail off.
"The guy behind Topas Solutions was trying to run Ghortuk out of business by dropping prices. Luckily he wasn't able to due to his superior mixtures." She looks to and winks at Anevia before her expression turns into one of shock as she makes the connection. "I bet that old wizard reported my dad to the Inqusitors! We have to deal with him." Her shock is quickly transformed to anger as she speaks.
After a moment she calms down. "That doesn't change the fact that these safe houses probably are quite dangerous. We should try to hook up with the military through Irabeth and the Order first. Though the order is all the way on the other side of the city. It might not be easy, safe or even worth it to travel all the way there. Stopping by Horgus' house on the way sounds fine."
Elriel nods at the witch's assessment of the situation. "It's good you know a lot of this place and the demons in general."
"So our plan is set then. At least the first part, the 'next' part, which is the part that interest me most. We go to Anevia's house."
The morning comes with no new threats during the night time, even if the eerie sensation of being watched was present at every moment. The sun shines up the ruined city but it seems somehow blocked by dark clouds with shades of black and red.
Aravashnial stays behind to help Fenna and the librarians to salvage any books and Berthold to guard the children. A couple of the kids cry as you leave them but the young girl that killed the fallen crusader, Clara, manages to calm them down even if she is not one of the older ones.
The first obstacle you find while navigating the ruined streets is 'debris road' created by one of the gargantuan demons that helped in destroying the city. This road starts in the destroyed southeast outer walls and heads northwest through the second and inner walls. It is just not possible to follow them to the center of Kenabres because of a big rift in the ground along the second wall.
Once you cross this road of destruction, you find yourselves in a once-wealthy district, with many mansions and ample gardens and parks where you find a small pack of dire rats that attack you immediately. Sabrina's and Elriel's swords were able to finish most of them and Kelumarion killed the last one, even if the big rodent was able to bite him before that.
Following the paved streets and circling around a park and a lake, you come across four human bodies impaled by a large spear and arranged as some sort of grizzly monument. Atop it there is a single vulture with three eyes and fiendish features... it flies towards you but Sabrina is able to behead it before any harm is done. A couple more minutes and you finally reach the Gwerm Manor, Horgus' former house.
In the middle of all the chaos and destruction, Horgus Gwerm's manor is something of a miracle, for it seems to have escaped without any damage at all. There are no guards or servants and no sign of Horgus' family.
"This is the Gwerm estate. I didn't make the connection before, but of course you must have meant Horgus Gwerm. He doesn't have much family left. Just his younger sister Isadore. If she still lives that is... I wonder if she's inside the building. It's worth a look." She proceeds to knock on the door or ring the bell as appropriate. If no one answers Rukzha will simply open the door to call out. "Isadore Gwerm?! Hello!? Anyone here?!"
The Gwerm estate is quiet...too quiet. Peering into the windows, Arrika keeps a hand on Kelumarion's shoulder, her protective ward still gleaming faintly in swirls amongst his gold fur. No one...and I mean no one, at least that I can see. Strange...with the house so intact, you'd almost expect it to be a people magnet, crawling with squatters. It's a place I'd pick, if I was looking for somewhere that wasn't Abyss-tainted streets or a home fallen to its foundation.
At Rukzha's call, Arrika tenses slightly. Maybe they would find this Isadore...or maybe the shout would attract others, squatters or worse. One hand curls into Kelumarion's mane and the other tightens around the straps of her small shield, but strangely, she finds she's not terrified this time - instead, the tension carries a strange energy with it, a thrill, almost.
Wary as ever, the half-elf's eyes scan the house as the witch calls out.
He wonders out loud,"Would this place be better for the children?"
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No one answers to the door knock but when Rukzha calls for the name, you can hear sounds of someone running on the upper floor and then coming down the stairs towards you. "Oh Anise... where have you been! How you dared..." There was a mix of anger and relief in the woman's face when she came into view... and soon it was substituted by fear as she saw you. "No... you are not my staff... get away right now or I'll call the guards!" She then steps back.
The girl was scared - even Arrika could see it. But she also knew that Isadore would be more comfortable with them if they let her farce continue...so she steps forward, feigning nervousness and holding her hands before her open. Kelumarion joins in the effort, bowing low and stretching his paws forward, sheathing the wicked claws. No - please, you don't have to do that. We don't mean any trouble. We just wanted to come by looking for you - we...we saw your brother. After the Festival.
Elriel was getting impatient. The fact that the house proved too difficult to defend and hold already had him thinking of going to Anevia's.
He waited for the woman to respond and then added, "We have news of your brother. But we're in a hurry so it's up to you. And we know you know not where your brother is."
Elriel did not have his mother's gift with words. He was too rash for diplomacy. He needed to get things done.
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